Irish pharmaceutical packaging firm inks deal with Canada’s Apotex

Irish company Millmount Healthcare, which carries out packaging outsourcing services for pharmaceutical companies, has forged a manufacturing order deal with the Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex to carry out the contract packaging of one of its pharmaceutical products.

The deal between Millmount Healthcare and Apotex was announced during Enterprise Ireland’s trade mission to Canada, which is taking place this week. Ireland’s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, TD, is leading the trade mission, which involves 30 Irish companies.

Set up in 1999 by Pascal Keogh, Millmount Healthcare operates from CityNorth Business Campus in Stamullen, Co Meath, where it runs a high-potent packaging facility.

Meanwhile, Apotex, which is based in Toronto, is Canada’s largest producer of generic drugs, producing more than 300 generic pharmaceutical products.

Speaking today, Keogh said the deal with Apotex marks the company’s first foray outside of the European market.

"Although we are well accustomed to dealing with non-European pharmaceutical companies, their business model has always been centred around using Millmount Healthcare as a springboard into Europe. This is the first time that the end destination for the finished product will be a non-European country, another first for our company," he said.

The company is also aiming to add another five employees to its headcount of 120 people.

Bruton said life sciences is one sector that offers specific potential for Irish companies in markets such as Canada.

"This announcement by Millmount Healthcare is a significant win for the company, giving them their first foothold in this very important market, and a great example of what is possible for other Irish companies," he said.

Apotex’s Wendell Clayton said the company chose Millmount because of its ability to handle small-series, high-potent packaging.

He also said the agreement is the start of a long-term collaboration, as Apotex is looking to other business opportunities with Millmount Healthcare.Medicine image via Shutterstock